Catalonia saw lower road mortality than EU average in 2023

Catalonia recorded 288 deaths caused by traffic accidents on roads and in urban centers, which represents a 9% increase of victims compared to the same period in 2022. 

According to data provided by the Spanish interior ministry, Catalonia saw 36 deaths on the road for every one million of inhabitants, which is slightly lower than the Spanish average of 38. 

In addition, Catalonia's average is ten points lower than the EU average of 46 deaths per million residents, according to recent Eurostat data. 

Of the total amount of victims on the road in Catalonia, 148 were in Barcelona (7 more than the previous year), 51 were in Girona, 55 in Tarragona, and 34 in Lleida which saw an increase of 14 victims during 2023. 

In all of Spain, there was a total of 1,806 victims on traffic accidents, which represents a 3% increase compared to 2022. 

The European average of deaths in traffic accidents has decreased by 10% since 2019, with a total of 20,400 victims in 2023.

Compared to other places in Europe, Catalonia ranks among the top eight regions with the lowest mortality rate. 

In addition, Spain is one of the 14 countries where the average number of deaths is below the European average, similar to Germany and The Netherlands. 

Countries like France (48 deaths for one million of inhabitants), Austria (44), and Italy (52) are slightly above average, while the places with the highest rate of road mortality are Bulgaria (82 deaths per million), Croatia (71) and Portugal (61). 

In the first six months of 2024, the road mortality rate in the EU stands at similar levels to those of 2023, while the numbers in Spain would have increased by 5% to 10% according to Eurostat.